A/N: Wow, four years. I can understand how some of you may be upset. I would be too. But I've decided to finish what I've started. And so here's chapter 3. I've completely forgotten how this story was originally going to play out but I'll do my best to make it a good one. Enjoy!
"You're safe with me."
Those words resonate in my mind like a solemn song I used to listen to when I was a child—reminiscent and comforting. Why does this sound all too familiar to me? I stare at the blonde man before me and watch as his eyes soften.
My heart does a quick leap and I blink a couple of times before entering his apartment. It looks much neater than mine. Everything is a monochrome aesthetic. All black and white unlike his persona that I can't seem to figure out. He starts setting my things on his coffee table and the sound brings me back to the present.
"Want anything?" He mutters before proceeding to the fridge.
I mutter a quick "No, thank you" and drop beside the table to collect my stuff and put it back inside my bag.
"Can I use your phone? My battery's dead." I ask hesitantly.
"No problem. Are you gonna call the owner?" He says as he reaches for his phone on the counter. He hands it to me and for a moment I thought our fingers were going to touch but he was careful to pull back immediately.
"Um, yeah. I'll ask for a spare key. I don't want to inconvenience you." I tap on the numbers and press dial.
"It's really fine though. You can just stay here for the night." He says casually.
My eyes widen at his words. I was about to oppose to the idea when the owner of the building suddenly answers my call. I quickly compose myself and explain the situation to him.
"Yes, umm is it alright if I get the spare key tonight? I'm really sorry for the trouble." I mumble quietly whilst stealing a glance or two at Usui.
He was quietly fixing dinner and I get a good look at his features. I've always silently observed him from a distance whenever I happen to meet him at the corridor or when I'm taking out the trash and see him feeding the street cats but it's always a millisecond glimpse.
This time, in the small space we're in, I'm able to see him clearly—how he looks and how he moves. I notice he has a habit of mumbling to himself when he's working on something. I giggle for a bit before I'm brought back by the owner's voice.
"Hello? Are you still there, Ayuzawa-san?"
"Ah! Yes, I'm here. Sorry, umm what was that? Tonight?" I say frantically. Usui looks up at me and I quickly turn around. "Yes, thank you so much."
The call ends and I turn around to carefully set his phone on the table. "The owner said he'll bring the spare keys tonight." I say.
He doesn't look up but continues to chop the vegetables. "I see. That's good then."
I don't know why but I suddenly feel a bit of disappointment especially after he suggested that I stay the night here. But I quickly brush the thought aside considering he just brought his woman to his home. How would she feel if I stayed here for the night? And how could he casually ask me to stay over like that when he's dating another woman?
"You really shouldn't suggest such rash things like that." I say thoughtlessly.
I catch his attention and he stops chopping to look at me with a confused look. "What do you mean?"
My fingers fidget a little bit before answering. "Letting me stay here for the night. T-that's… I mean it's weird, right?"
His head tilts a little and leans on the counter. "Why is that? You're my neighbor and I'm just doing you a favor."
"Y-yeah but like… you're in a relationship and what would other people think abou-" I stutter.
"Wait, I'm in a what? Who told you that?" He smirks.
My face turns beet red and look at anything but his amused eyes. "Well, t-the woman at the shop… and the elevator… I thought-" I stop as I hear him chuckle a little.
"That woman is my mother." He says and his soft eyes return as he mutters the last word.
I am stunned for a moment before gaining my composure. "Oh, I just thought… Because she looks so young and pretty."
"Why thank you, Ayuzawa. I'm glad you think she's pretty." He says and continues chopping.
I am suddenly relieved. So relieved that I sigh out loud.
He chuckles again. "Someone's happy."
"N-no. I was just worried. I thought I was intruding." I quickly say.
"You don't have to worry Ayuzawa. Other than my mother, you're the only girl I've ever brought inside my home."
His words earned him a gasp. I feel a sudden rush of joy? Excitement? I can't pinpoint the feeling but I'm definitely flattered that I'm the first.
"Do you at least want to stay for dinner?" He asks.
"Umm… Well, I guess." My heart does a thing again. I've always wondered how eating with him would be like. Half of me thinks it would be awkward but half of me really wants to get to know him better too. We've been neighbors for almost two years and all I know about him is that he ISN'T in a relationship.
I wander around his living room and look at the books he has on his shelves. It seems he's very much into reading. He's got all sorts of books on his shelf. From novels to books about sociology, history and even psychology.
"You can take one to read if you like." He says without facing me.
"Oh, it's alright. I'm not much of a bookworm." I reply.
I see his lips dip to a little frown. "I see."
After a few minutes, he's finished cooking. He quietly sets up the table and we both eat in silence for a while before he clears his throat.
"So, Ayuzawa-san." He says.
I jerk my eyebrows up in surprise with the sudden formality. "You can drop the honorifics. You haven't called me that anyway."
He smiles and rests his elbows on the table. "How long have you been working at the maid café? I'm a regular customer there and I haven't really seen you."
I take a bite of the meat before answering. "Not long. I got fired from previous job at the local grocery store. Got into trouble with a rude customer."
"Well if he was being rude then he probably deserved the beating." He comments.
I give him a sharp look. "What makes you think I beat him up? I never said that."
His eyes widened for a bit before returning to their normal nonchalant look. "I don't know. I just thought you did. I apologize if I offended you. I wasn't implying anything."
I shrug. "It's fine. Not like you were wrong anyway. I did beat him up. He was harassing my friend who was also working at the store. Funny how the world works right? You do something good but you're the one being punished. Quite unfair."
"Indeed, it is." He agrees. I look at him again and he seems deep in thought. He's not even cutting his food properly. "So, why did you switch apartment units? I know you used to live a floor below mine."
My face heats up. How am I supposed to tell him that I moved out so I could be closer to his apartment? Wouldn't that sound stalkerish? I quickly think of a good answer.
"Uhh.. yes, well I had problems with my old unit. The bathroom was all kinds of mess." I say quickly.
"Hmm… I see." His eyes are still distant.
"So what about you? What do you do for a living?" I ask.
This time, he looks at me and smiles. "Curious? What do you think I do?"
I take a quick glance at his shelves filled with books. "A university professor? Or perhaps a student?"
He chuckles for a bit and answers a quick no.
"Then what is it?"
"I think I'll leave you hanging on this one." He smirks.
My brows furrow. "That's not fair. I told you mine."
He smiles again. "I think I earned that since I helped you out tonight. Besides, the world is unfair, isn't it."
I bite the inside of my cheeks. "Fine. I wasn't that curious anyway."
After a few minutes, the owner of the building arrives and gives me the spare key. We finish eating shortly after.
"Thanks again for dinner. I honestly think I should at least do the dishes since you cooked." I suggest.
He shakes his head. "It's fine. You can repay me some other time."
I give him a questioning look. "Other… time?"
"Well, we're neighbors so we're bound to meet up somewhere somehow. Besides, I don't really need you to do me any favors right now so I'll think of something first." He says.
"Oh, right. Of course." A few seconds of silence envelopes us before I clear my throat. "Well, thanks again for everything. I don't really like owing people so please tell me how I can repay you soon."
He nods and holds the door open for me. "I'll see you around Ayuzawa." He smiles.
I stare at him for a while and nostalgia hits me again but this time more painful. I feel a tinge of stinging on my head for a moment and I touch my temples on impulse.
"Ow…" I mutter.
"What's wrong?" He quickly tries to rich for my hand but I brush it off softly.
"No.. It's fine. Just migraine. I've had this for a while now. I'm used to it." I eyes twitch a little as the pain subsides. I look at him and was confused at his worried face.
He straightens up and looks intently at me. "You should get that checked."
I smile lazily. "Yeah, when I have the time. Don't concern yourself about it. I'll be fine." I step out of his apartment and turn around to thank him again. "Thank you. I'll make sure to pay you back." I give a curt bow and head to my place which is right across his.
I could still feel him staring at me as I enter my apartment. I hear his door close and I let out the biggest sigh. I feel like I had been holding my breath for the whole duration of my stay inside his apartment. And all the while, I never got a single information about him. I only know he cooks well, loves books and is single. Not that that's important anyway.
I sigh again and massage my temples slowly. I guess my migraine is back. Probably because of stressing out too much about finding a job, supporting my family and getting back to school. I stare at my phone and wonder if I should call Suzuna to check up on them.
"She doesn't blame you, Misaki-nee." Suzuna's words echo through my mind on a loop as if trying to convince me that she's right. But deep down I still feel the guilt. What would have happened if I never left?
I lay down on my couch and close my eyes for a moment. Memories of that night suddenly coursed through my brain as I try to collect every single detail of what had happened.
I remember it being a rainy night. It's all a blur to be honest. Whenever I try to recall those memories, it's like my eyes are underwater. I can't make out the things I see. The figures are all jarred and nothing takes form. But I try to squint my eyes as if to help me see my thoughts clearly.
I was in a car. I was shouting. I was angry. Angry at the person driving. Was it a man? Or was it my mom? How did I get inside the car? We don't even own one. The person was calm which angered me even more.
"Stop the car." I said sternly.
The person says something inaudible and I can't make out the words. We continue to argue and the next thing I know, an ear-splitting sound was coming towards us and the car crashed to something. We were flipped over and I lost consciousness.
When I awoke, it had been a few days after the accident. The event took a toll on my mother which made her health deteriorate. I found out we had to sell our house in order to pay for my recovery and now they are living at my aunt's house that is, until my mom was sent to the hospital.
My eyes open and tears start to form. I am to blame. No matter what Suzuna says, I am to blame. I wish could turn back time and change everything. But how can change what I don't remember?
A/N: Again, your reviews are very much appreciated. Although I'm still not very confident with my writing skills, I'd still like it if you share with me your thoughts about this story. Thank you for reading! Xoxo